Puri: On the eve of Rath Yatra, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) suspended a servitor for alleged unruly behaviour during the conduct of a key ritual inside the shrine on Wednesday.The servitor, Rashmiranjan Datta Mohapatra, allegedly scuffled with a temple officer during the Banakalagi ritual of the deities in the morning.“Mohapatra acted rudely, hurled abuses at the temple officer and even attempted to assault him. His conduct followed a minor altercation with the officer, who was coordinating with other servitors to ensure timely completion of the rituals,” an SJTA official said.Witnesses said Mohapatra suddenly turned aggressive, threatened the officer with dire consequences, and had to be restrained by temple staff and police personnel.SJTA chief administrator Arabinda Kumar Padhee confirmed the suspension. “We have always accorded the highest importance to discipline during rituals. Based on the temple commander’s report, Rashmiranjan Datta Mohapatra has been suspended from temple service until further orders,” Padhee said.He added: “I sincerely thank all servitors for their cooperation and coordination. I am confident that on Rath Yatra on Thursday, and in the days ahead, all rituals of the Lord will continue to be performed with punctuality, discipline and devotion.”The unpleasant incident came even as SJTA has been stressing seamless coordination between officials and servitors for smooth conduct of rituals. At least 16 rituals will be performed inside the temple and on chariots during Rath Yatra.“We are hopeful of complete support from servitors to ensure the Rath Yatra rituals are conducted without disruption,” Padhee said.
